Buccaneers with most to prove in 2024

Which players could silence the doubters this season?

With opening kickoff just a few short days away, the Buccaneers have their sights set on a fifth consecutive playoff berth and fourth consecutive NFC South title. They certainly have the talent to do it, but there are also questions surrounding some players on the team. Let’s take a look at some players with a lot to prove this year.

QB Baker Mayfield

I did this same list last year and included Mayfield on it. All he did in 2023 was take the Bucs to the playoffs and made a pro bowl. So why is he on here again? Because there is undoubtedly more pressure on him to perform now. If he had faltered in 2023, Tampa Bay could have easily moved on and found another option at QB, but with the success he had, he earned himself a brand new three year, 100 million dollar contract.

With a bigger contract comes bigger expectations. The Bucs would not have signed Mayfield to that big deal if they didn’t believe in him to take them where they want to go, but he has to prove he can be that guy. One of Mayfield’s biggest issues throughout his career has been consistency. People who follow the Bucs even saw those same inconsistencies at times during the 2023 season.

So what does Mayfield have to prove? That last year wasn’t just a one year wonder and that regardless of yet another new offensive coordinator, he’s the guy that is worth the 100 million dollars the team is paying him.

WR Chris Godwin

Speaking of money, there could be a lot of money on the line this season for Chris Godwin. The standout receiver is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and he could be in for a big pay day if he has a good year in 2024. Godwin is moving back to the slot and going to playing there a good bit in offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s offense and he may gain from that.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Godwin will be 29 years old by the time free agency rolls around and this will likely be the last chance he has to get a big contract so he will want to make sure the 2024 season is one to remember regardless of if he’s back in Tampa Bay in 2025 or not.

LB K.J. Britt

Britt filled the shoes of Devin White last year towards the end of the season and did an admirable job. He even started both playoff games and played well in those but now with White in Philadelphia, the job is all Britt’s. Playing next to Lavonte David will certainly be a huge help for Britt and make life a whole lot easier, but he still has a lot to prove as this is his first time being a full time starter. The traits of a talented linebacker are there, we will just have to wait and see if he can hold up over the course of a 17 game season.

CB Zyon McCollum

This is probably the most obvious name on the list. McCollum has been a player much talked about this past offseason as it is clear the Bucs are putting a lot of faith in the young corner. After trading away Carlton Davis to Detroit, the Bucs elected not to pursue an option to replace him externally. Instead they turned their focus to filling out the depth of the corner room and seemingly handing the role of the other outside cornerback to McCollum. It is a massive risk, but one that could pay off big for the Bucs if he plays well.

There are a lot of people who are worried that McCollum is not quite ready for this moment yet and maybe never will be, so he has a ton to prove in 2024. If it doesn’t work out, this may be his first and only chance at being a starter in the NFL.

There are a lot more players that could be put on this list. Tampa Bay sees a lot of media outlets picking the Falcons to win the division and casting doubt on their ability to win football games so really, the whole time probably feels like they have something to prove. They will get their first shot at proving it this Sunday.